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5.1-channel surround system
A speaker setup that places one speaker above or below a television, two on either side of the display, and two beside or just behind the listener (standard surround). A subwoofer is to the front left of the listener. A surround system creates a more immersive, realistic sound experience-the more speakers, the richer the sound.

7.1-channel suround system
A speaker setup that places one speaker above or below a television, two on either side of the display, two beside or just behind the listener (standard surround), and two behind the listener (surround back channels). A subwoofer is to the front left of the listener. A surround system creates a more immersive, realistic sound experience-the more speakers, the richer the sound.

480i
480-line interlaced scan; the vertical resolution of standard-definition broadcasts, and the original resolution technology. See "interlaced scanning".

Automatic brightness optimization
An HP feature that automatically adjusts TV and projector brightness to optimum levels based on the visual properties of what is being viewed and environment (room brightness).

B

Blu-ray disc (BD)
A next-generation optical disc format developed specifically for recording and rewriting high-definition video, with enhanced storage capacity (25GB single-layer or 50GB double-layer). Thus named because it uses a blue-violet laser rather than the standard red laser used by CDs and DVDs. Jointly developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association and several consumer electronics and PC companies, including HP.

C

CableCARD
A device built into new-generation televisions that allows digital cable reception without a set-top cable box.

Color mapping
An HP feature in microdisplay TVs that permits the display of true colors.

Color wheel
A multicolor (either three-color or the newer seven-color) spinning wheel through which light is passed to create and project an image in digital light processing. DLP is used in HP projectors and microdisplay TVs.

D

Digital Light Processing
A Texas Instruments display technology that uses a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) to create and project vibrant, high-definition images either via television or a projector.

De-interlacing
A feature that improves picture quality, producing a film-like richness. Sixty frames per second are shown as opposed to the standard 30 frames per second. (Also called "line doubling.")
Carries a multichannel audio signal between digital or electronic devices, separating sound into speaker-specific signals.

Dark video enhancement
Enhances details in dark scenes.

Digital tuner
A set-top or built-in television tuner that receives digital television signals. Also called "digital receiver."

E

Electronic program guide
A program menu on HP entertainment products, such as the Digital Entertainment Center and Media Center PC, that displays chronological, and automatically updated, program listings.

HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface)
Combines video and audio into one digital interface for use with devices such as TVs and DVD players. Users need only one connector cable. Carries DVI-quality video with up to eight channels of audio, providing a maximum bandwidth transmission rate of 5Gbps.

HDTV ATSC tuner
An internal or external over-the-air tuner that receives high-definition television signals. Also called "ATSC HD tuner".

I

Integrated HD
An HDTV that has a built-in high-definition receiver/tuner.

Interlaced (i) scanning
A method of displaying images from a video signal on a television screen. With interlaced scanning, half the vertical lines (odd lines) on the screen are filled in first, then the other half (even lines) for a complete image. Also see "progressive scanning".

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M

Media hub
An HP HDTV innovation that allows users to access, manage, and enjoy digital photos, music, TV, and video in one set-top device that combines the capabilities of HDTV, digital cable, and a dual-tuner digital video recorder. It includes an electronic program guide, a music information service, and an automatic update service that upgrades the device as new services become available.

Microsdisplay TV
A large-screen, cabinet television using DLP. The newest generation of microdisplay TVs are more lightweight and compact than their earlier counterparts.

N

O

Optical cable
A digital connector that carries information optically rather than electronically, which renders it unsusceptible to electrical interference.

Over-the-air HD
HD programming that requires TV owners to have an HD antenna and HD-capable TV, and live in an area where digital television is broadcast.

P

Personal video recorder
A device that can record and play back television in digital format, as opposed to the analog format recorded by a VCR. Also called "digital video recorder."

PIP (picture in picture)
A television feature that allows you to view multiple TV channels simultaneously by creating one or more smaller displays within the larger television display.

POP (picture outside picture)
A television feature that allows you to view two or more (depending on the type of POP capability the set has) TV channels simultaneously by dividing the television display into halves.

Progressive (p) scanning
A method of displaying images from a video signal on a television screen. With progressive scanning, the vertical lines on the screen are filled in sequentially, rather than in two passes as with interlaced scanning. Also see "interlaced scanning".

Q

R

Resolution-doubling technology
A unique HP technology that projects digital images at double their resolution for improved clarity without increased cost.

S

SPDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface)
A digital audio interface, most often used with an RCA connector.

SRS TruBass
An audio technology that enhances low-frequency sound. Also a feature of SRS TruSurround XT.

SRS Dialog Clarity Enhancement
An audio technology that makes movie and television dialogue crisper and more clearly articulated. Also a feature of SRS TruSurround XT.

SRS TruSurround XT
A three-dimensional, high-definition audio technology that produces the effect of surround-sound with as few as two speakers. Voices are more accurate, bass is richer, and sound is overall fuller and more dramatic.

SRS WOW
An audio technology that strengthens voices and creates rich bass without the need for a subwoofer.

Surround-sound
Three-dimensional sound, usually created or amplified by the placement of multiple speakers throughout a room or home theater.

T

Terrestrial HD
See "over-the-air HD".

Toslink
A type of optical cable used to connect A/V components, distinguished by its plug shape.

U

UHDV (ultra high-definition video)
A next-generation HD format developed by the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation. Its resolution is 16 times greater than standard HD video, but it requires several terabytes of storage and a 450-inch diagonal screen to enjoy.

V

Visual Fidelity
An HP picture-processing technology that analyzes every pixel of every image from every video source for noise reduction, color enhancement, motion compensation, and detail enhancement to deliver a spectacular picture.

W

Wireless audio
A speaker setup that can be plugged into a front connection as opposed to rear ports.

WMA (Windows Media Audio)
Developed by Microsoft, WMA is a sound-file format that is even smaller than MP3. WMA offers near-CD-quality sound at an encoding rate of only 64Kbps (as opposed to MP3's 128Kbps), cutting the file size in half. Optional copyright protection is included in the WMA code, allowing the owner to restrict the use of protected material.